Buffalo Trace Cream

Buffalo Trace Bourbon Cream is a 15% ABV (30 proof) cream liqueur made with real Buffalo Trace Kentucky Straight Bourbon and rich dairy cream, bottled at 750ml. It earned a Gold Medal and 90 points at the 2016 Los Angeles International Spirits Competition, establishing it as one of the stronger entries in the bourbon cream category.

Quick Facts: ABV: 15% (30 Proof)  |  Origin: Kentucky, USA  |  Style: Bourbon Cream Liqueur  |  Distillery: Buffalo Trace Distillery

Production & Heritage

Buffalo Trace Distillery, located in Frankfort, Kentucky, sits on a site that has been producing whiskey since 1775, making it one of the oldest continuously operating distilleries in America. Now owned by Sazerac Company, the distillery developed this cream liqueur under the guidance of master distiller Drew Mayfield. Rather than relying on artificial bourbon flavoring, the recipe uses actual Buffalo Trace Kentucky Straight Bourbon as its base, blending it with real cream in small batches to achieve a balance between the whiskey's character and the richness of dairy.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Caramel and vanilla lead immediately, followed by toffee sweetness and a layer of fresh cream. Beneath the dairy richness, faint oak and subtle bourbon spice emerge.

Taste: The entry is smooth and velvety, with caramel and vanilla hitting first across the palate. At mid-palate, toffee and a gentle sweetness develop, while the bourbon's oak and warming spice assert themselves just enough to prevent the liqueur from tipping into cloying territory.

Finish: Long and elegant for a cream liqueur, with lingering warmth from the bourbon backbone and refined sweetness that slowly fades. A trace of vanilla and soft oak remains after the cream notes subside.

How to Drink Buffalo Trace Cream

Serve chilled or over ice to let the cream texture shine while the bourbon warmth cuts through. It also works well as a measured pour in coffee or hot chocolate during colder months.

• Bourbon Cream White Russian: Substitute for traditional cream liqueur — the bourbon base adds depth that pairs naturally with coffee liqueur and cream.
• Spiked Affogato: Pour over vanilla ice cream with a shot of espresso — the caramel and toffee notes mirror the dessert's sweetness.
• Bourbon Cream Old Fashioned Twist: Use as a float on a classic Old Fashioned to add a velvety layer without overwhelming the whiskey foundation.

Best For

• After-dinner sipping as a standalone dessert course
• Gifting to bourbon enthusiasts who enjoy sweeter expressions
• Holiday entertaining and seasonal cocktail menus
• Introducing non-whiskey drinkers to bourbon-based spirits

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Buffalo Trace Cream taste like? Buffalo Trace Bourbon Cream delivers a rich, velvety profile dominated by caramel, vanilla, and toffee, with enough bourbon oak and spice underneath to give the liqueur structure beyond simple sweetness.

How does Buffalo Trace Cream compare to Jim Beam Bourbon Cream? Both are bourbon-based cream liqueurs at similar proof points, but Buffalo Trace Cream leans more heavily on caramel and toffee sweetness, while Jim Beam Bourbon Cream tends toward a slightly lighter vanilla profile. Buffalo Trace Cream has earned stronger competition results, including a Gold Medal and 90 points at the 2016 Los Angeles International Spirits Competition.

Is Buffalo Trace Cream good for cocktails? At 15% ABV, it blends easily into coffee drinks, dessert cocktails, and cream-based mixed drinks without overpowering other ingredients. Its real bourbon backbone gives cocktails more depth than many competing cream liqueurs.

Where is Buffalo Trace Cream made? Buffalo Trace Bourbon Cream is produced at Buffalo Trace Distillery in Frankfort, Kentucky, a site that has been distilling spirits since 1775 and is now owned by Sazerac Company.

What foods pair well with Buffalo Trace Cream? Dark chocolate truffles complement the toffee and caramel notes directly. Pecan pie mirrors the liqueur's sweetness with added nuttiness. Bread pudding with bourbon sauce creates a natural pairing. Vanilla bean cheesecake echoes the cream and vanilla character. Salted caramel desserts intensify the caramel backbone while balancing sweetness.

What sizes does Buffalo Trace Cream come in? Buffalo Trace Bourbon Cream is available in the standard 750ml bottle size.

Is Buffalo Trace Cream worth the price? Buffalo Trace Bourbon Cream positions as a mid-range cream liqueur that punches above its price tier, using real Buffalo Trace Kentucky Straight Bourbon rather than artificial flavoring — a distinction that separates it from many competitors in the category.

Why Buffalo Trace Cream?

The single most important distinction here is the base spirit: this liqueur is built on actual Buffalo Trace Kentucky Straight Bourbon, one of the most recognized and respected everyday bourbons in the American whiskey landscape. That foundation gives the cream liqueur a legitimate bourbon character — oak, spice, warmth — rather than the synthetic flavor profile found in lesser cream liqueurs. A Gold Medal and 90-point score at the 2016 Los Angeles International Spirits Competition, along with medals at the New York and San Francisco World Spirits Competitions, confirm that the small-batch blending approach translates into a product that holds its own under competitive scrutiny. For anyone who values what sits beneath the cream, this is a category standout.